Sweets

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Gummy candy & licorice for all tastes Our online shop offers a...

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Candies in various colors and flavors

Candies have a very long history: Although sugar production was still unknown, both the Greeks and Romans knew candies made from honey. In the 7th century, the first candy mass made from sugar and fruit juice was produced in Persia. Soon after, candies were also known in Europe - initially as a type of medicine as they contained herbs. Only some time later did wealthy Europeans enjoy candies as sweets. The term "candy" is said to have originated on 17th August 1572. On this day, France's King Henry IV married Margaret of Valois, and the guests were offered the new candies, among other things. Not least the children among the guests are said to have exclaimed in excitement "Bon! Bon!" ("bon" means "good").

From 1843, Franz Stollwerck ensured enormous distribution of cough candies, which were then called "chest candies". In a total of 44 factories, Franz Stollwerck finally had the candies produced to distribute them not only in Germany but also in neighboring countries. Due to his success, the candy manufacturer from the Rhineland was referred to as the "Kamelle-Napoleon".

Each candy mass is made up of sugar, glucose syrup, colorings, and flavors. These must be heated until a liquid is formed. Then the still hot candy mass is poured onto a work surface and kneaded at about 70 degrees Celsius. Then it's time for pulling: The mass is pulled into a long strand and then divided into more manageable rods. The candy manufacturer obtains candies by either breaking the candy rods into small pieces or by using a candy machine. The latter punches the rods into small portions.

Fruit gum or wine gum?

Fruit gum and wine gum can be summarized as gum candies. They are typically gummy and rather soft or tough. The elastic sweets consist primarily of sugar, glucose syrup, and thickeners. Since they are mostly made by casting, they are often available in the form of figures, animals, and other templates. The best-known variant is probably the gummy bear.

In the 19th century, some confectioners found that sugar could be combined with gum arabic. However, gelatin was soon discovered to be a better additive. From then on, fruit gums could be produced which were pleasant both in terms of taste and consistency. Wine gums were invented by the Briton Charles Gordon Maynard in 1909. In contrast to fruit gums, wine gums contain acidifiers and usually a little more sugar. Although the name suggests it, wine is by no means an ingredient in wine gums. Due to the larger amount of sugar, wine gum is relatively firm.

In this online food shop, you can choose between English wine gum and a considerable number of fruit gums in various shapes, colors, and flavors. You will also find fruit dragees and combinations of fruit gum and licorice as well as fruit gum and foam sugar.

Licorice - from sweet to salty

In fact, licorice (sweet root) is a special type of plant that occurs, among other things, in the Mediterranean. Since the Middle Ages, licorice has been used for medical purposes. Only in the mid-18th century was licorice mixed with sugar and enjoyed as a sweet. In this context, the still marketed salmiac pastilles are to be mentioned, which contain licorice root extract, anise oil, and ammonium chloride (salmiac).

For the production of licorice varieties as they are known today, the ingredients are first extracted and thickened from the roots. Sugar syrup, gelatin, and flour are added. Depending on the desired end product, anise, fennel oil, starch, and pectin are also added. An additional ingredient is sometimes salmiac. In Germany, all foods that contain more than two percent salmiac must be labeled with a warning. If the proportion is between 2-4.49 percent, the warning is "adult licorice - not children's licorice," between 4.49-7.99 percent salmiac, the packaging reads "extra strong, adult licorice - not children's licorice".

In this online food shop, you can choose from soft and hard as well as sweet and salty licorice varieties in the subcategory licorice. Mixtures of licorice and peppermint as well as licorice and fruit gum are also delicious.

Lollipops & chewing gum as other popular subcategories

While lollipops are generally only oversized candies on a stick ("suckers"), chewing gum is a completely different type of candy. Its origin goes back to the Stone Age when pieces of tree resin were chewed. The Romans are said to have chewed the resin from mastic pistachio trees. In the 16th century, the Spaniards learned about chewing chicle (gum base made from the latex sap of the chicle tree) in Central America.

The first chewing gum manufacturer to be mentioned is the American John Curtis Jackson, who produced gum from the main ingredients of pine resin and beeswax in 1848. The New York inventor Thomas Adams invented the first chewing gum balls made of chicle in 1871. In order to be able to transport and portion the gum better, Adams ultimately produced gum strips, which, however, did not yet have any flavor. From 1875, there were first varieties that were flavored with tolulbalsam, licorice, or peppermint. In Germany, chewing gum has only been known since the end of World War II. Meanwhile, you can choose from an enormous number of chewing gum types, many flavors - with and without sugar.

Even more delicacies: Marshmallow & waffles

They are a must-have at any children's birthday party: marshmallows. Apart from the fact that you can hold fun games with marshmallows, they simply taste delicious. This popular candy consists of marshmallow, chocolate, and a wafer. After the "Tête de nègre" ("Negro head") had been successfully introduced in the 19th century, the chocolate kiss or "Schokokuss" was also available for purchase in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century.

Waffles are hardly less popular than marshmallows. Waffle irons were already used in the 9th century in France and Belgium. In the Middle Ages, there was even a guild of waffle bakers in France. Hippen, which can also be filled, have been known since the 15th century. The subcategory waffles of this shop does not include the waffles that were baked with the help of a waffle iron and are relatively large, but rather marshmallow waffles, cream waffles, Neapolitaner, and ice cream waffles.

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